Oman Air, the Sultanate’s flag carrier, will focus on the leisure market while starting new destinations, the airline’s CEO has said.
Peter Hill spoke to Sreekrishna Bhat about plans for the future.
Launching the airline’s new A330-300 aircraft, Hill said Oman Air sees greater potential in the leisure segment as the Sultanate positions itself as a unique destination in the region.
The airline looks to add new routes to Europe and the Far East in the near future as it expands its fleet. Sri Lanka and the Maldives are also being considered, he said.
Oman Air’s fleet consists of Boeing 737-800 and Airbus A330s. At the end of 2009, the fleet strength will be 15 B737-800s, two A330-200s and two A330-300s. During 2010/2011, three additional A330-300s will be delivered.
The airline has ordered six Boeing 787 Dreamliners, which are scheduled for delivery in 2014 – a delay of two years.
Asked if the delay will affect the expansion plans, Hill said: “When we ordered the planes no one saw recession coming. Since there has been a slowdown, there won’t be much impact. However, it all depends on how much time the global economy takes to recover.”
The industry veteran of 40 years said this has been the toughest time he has seen but added ‘it is also a fantastic opportunity to readjust and benefit from the great things the country has to offer’.
“Despite the recession and when most airlines are cutting their operations, Oman Air is expanding. In the short-term, we will take the pain, but we hope in the long-term we will gain from this,” he said.
Oman’s government and the airline management felt it important to increase capacity and attract more people to the country to build on its success as a destination of choice for tourists, said Hill.
He added that the airline is looking at flying smaller aircraft within Oman, serving the tourism and leisure markets. It is also aiming to provide at least two flights a day – in the morning and evening – to all regional capitals.
The airline’s revenue has risen as it has increased capacity by 23 per cent this year, said Barry Brown, chief commercial officer. Next year, the capacity will go up by another 15 per cent with the new aircraft joining the fleet.
On October 9 Oman Air launched non-stop scheduled services between Muscat and Paris-Charles de Gaulle Airport.